Hair Loss Causes & Remedies Source

It is normal to shed about 150 hairs a day, but sometimes this number may be increased by various stresses on the body. Hereditary hair loss is known as alopecia. It affects men far more than women and tends to be a feature of aging, starting with a receding at the temples or forehead, which gradually progresses (though rarely ending in total baldness). Other causes of hair loss include severe illness with high fever, pregnancy and childbirth, shock, stress, damage to the skin (from burns, infection, radiation, chemical injury), skin cancer, chemotherapy, excess of vitamin A, hypothyroidism, and syphilis.

Baldness, or alopecia, is total or partial loss of scalp hair. The condition may be temporary or permanent. The most common type of alopecia is pattern baldness, a hereditary trait that is expressed more often in males than in females because it depends on the influence of the male hormone testosterone. Pattern baldness in males extends until only a sparse growth of hair remains on the back and sides of the head. Up to 86 percent of men in the U.S. will experience some pattern balding.

In women, baldness usually extends until only a sparse growth remains across the crown. Premature baldness may partly result from an imbalance of sex hormones. Sudden temporary hair loss sometimes occurs as a result of typhoid fever, f lu, pneumonia, or stress. Gradual thinning of the hair may be caused by severe nutritional deficiency, tuberculosis, cancer, and disorders of the thyroid gland or pituitary gland. Temporary baldness may also be caused by exposure to nuclear radiation or X-rays, or by the internal use of certain anticancer drugs.

Chinese Herbalism 
Shou Wu Pian nourishes Liver, Blood, Kidney qi and jing. It is commonly used in China to keep hair from graying. Hair loss is attributed to Deficient Liver and Kidneys, and specific herbs to address this include wolfberry, mulberry, and f leecef lower root.

Traditional Home and Folk Remedies 
Sage tea, drunk and applied externally, will stimulate hair growth. Nettle tea helps to cleanse the system, and encourages the growth of hair.

Herbalism 
Improve circulation to the head with a daily intake of rosemary tea and shoulder stands. Massage the scalp with infused oil of fenugreek or ginger. Rinse with nettle vinegar.

Aromatherapy 
Lavender, rosemary, sage, cedarwood, patchouli, or ylang ylang can be massaged into the scalp and added to mild unfragranced shampoos.

Homeopathy 
Lycopodium, for hair loss after childbirth. Aurum, for hair loss with headaches and boils breaking out on the scalp. Phosphoric acid, for hair loss after grief, and with exhaustion. Arnica, for hair loss starting after injury. Selenium, for painful scalp and loss of body hair along with hair on head. Sepia, for hair loss related to menopause and childbirth.

Vitamins and Minerals 
Increase your intake of vitamin B-complex (highdosage tablet, twice daily), choline, inositol, calcium, magnesium, vitamins and minerals in a good supplement.